Raheem Morris talks Kirk Cousins, tush push, and more at NFL owners meeting

Interesting updates abound from Morris.

Raheem Morris got to the owners meetings a little late due to what ESPN’s Marc Raimondi called weather-related travel issues, but he was there to speak to the media on Tuesday. In his remarks, the Atlanta Falcons head coach touched on Kirk Cousins’ future with the team, the fate of the tush push, and Ryan Neuzil’s status as the team’s potential starting center, among other topics.

Here’s a quick rundown of what Morris had to say.

On Kirk Cousins

We’re all wondering when the Kirk Cousins saga will be over. He was recently spotted at an Ohio Chipotle, fueling speculation that he might be on his way to the Cleveland Browns, and we know he’s itching for a shot at a starting job.

Morris addressed his future by making it clear a trade could materialize, but that if it does not, the team is quite comfortable having Cousins as a backup. If that’s the case, though, Morris said he doesn’t expect to see the veteran quarterback at voluntary OTAs.

A trade isn’t on the table just yet, per Morris—again, whether you believe this may depend on why you think Cousins was out in Ohio randomly in late March—but Morris stressed that the team knows he wants to be a starter and will accommodate that if the right opportunity comes along.

I’ve been pretty clear all along how I think this will turn out, even if conflicting reports have caused me to waver at times. Cousins will find an opportunity and will jump at the chance to start, waiving his no-trade clause, and it’s simply a question of whether he has to tweak his deal and what the Falcons get in return. Whether that happens now, after the draft, or into the summer is the big question.

On Ryan Neuzil

The Falcons lost Drew Dalman to the Bears and only have Jovaughn Gwyn under center at the moment, with Neuzil set to return on a right of first refusal tender barring an outlandish offer from another team. Is he going to start, though?

This confirms my priors, also. The Falcons are not going to let Neuzil go into the summer as the sole starting center option, and Gwyn is unlikely to be his only competition. Whether David Andrews can pass a physical and joins as veteran help or the team drafts a center, they’re going to add someone who can push Neuzil for the job between now and OTAs. Neuzil is likely the favorite unless it’s an early pick, however, and a quality season could earn him a long-term starting job.

On Clark Phillips and DeMarcco Hellams

There were interesting updates for a pair of Falcons defensive backs, too. Morris told press that Hellams was expected to be ready for OTAs, allowing him to hit the ground running as he competes with Jordan Fuller and potentially a draft pick for a starting role at safety. It’ll be good to have the physical safety back on the field after a lost 2024.

The Phillips update is really interesting. I had largely written him off as the nickel cornerback as recently as this morning not because of any lack of ability, but because the team showed an unwillingness to play him inside last year even when injury hit Dee Alford. Apparently that’s going to change, with Phillips potentially getting a real shot at the starting job there.

I’m an avowed fan of Phillips, and I think this is a role he could thrive in if he can win it this summer. A starting trio of Terrell, Mike Hughes, and Phillips would be a fine group to start the season with, though it will have question marks around Phillips’ potential inside and whether Hughes can match his 2024 season.

On the tush push

Finally, Morris weighed in on the tush push, and is one of many across the league who has concerns with it.

It looks like the league will likely ban the Eagles’ favorite short yardage and goal line look, and I’m sure the Eagles will respond by coming up with something that will nettle the league even more. It’s the circle of life.